Like
the goods we buy, the way we organize our houses and the space
around them may also be an indicator of cultural identity. Aspects of
African heritage can be seen in the manner in which African Americans
constructed their homes and used the surrounding space.

Many African peoples, both enslaved and free, lived in small
houses that opened onto communal areas or yards. While their
homes were used for storage and sleeping, the communal spaces, yards,
and porches were used for cooking, household chores, and other domestic
activities.

These external spaces were considered extensions of the house,
serving as places where family members could socialize with others in
the community while they worked. In this way, social ties with other
African Americans were strengthened and their sense of community was
reinforced. This may have been the Robinson family practice as well.

One of the most noticeable features
of the original Robinson House was its small size - only 1½
stories with 400’ of living space and a porch. According to 1850
census data, nine people lived in James Robinson’s small home.

While the choice to build such a small structure may
have been governed in part by socio-economic constraints, cultural ideas
regarding what constituted a proper homestead were probably as important
as economic considerations in determining the layout and size of the
structure. It is believed that the Robinson family chose to keep a small
home, despite having the means to construct a larger house, in order
to remain unobtrusive and guard their privacy in a predominantly white
community.